Catamenial device

ABSTRACT

A catamenial device including a tampon portion for insertion into the vaginal canal, and a pad portion integral with the tampon portion and extending transversely thereof, the pad portion being seated between the labia majora of the vulva.

United States Patent Hirschman Sept. 12, 1972 [54] CATAMENIAL DEVICE2,652,056 9/1953 Lay ..128/285 2,682,875 7/ 1954 Brown 128/285 3,O37,506 6/1962 Penksa 128/285 3 ,420,234 ll 1 969 Phelphs l 28/ 285Primary Examiner-Charles F. Rosenbaum Attorney-Philip G. Hilbert [57ABSTRACT A catamenial device including a tampon portion for insertioninto the vaginal canal, and a pad portion integral with the tamponportion and extending transversely thereof, the pad portion being seatedbetween the labia majora of the vulva.

-:; 7 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures mimfnsmzwn 3.690.321

v saw 1 or 2 INVENTOR. Shalom Z. Hirschman ATTORNEY P'Anmmsmwn I3.690.321

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CATAMENIAL DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The menstrual period is anexceedingly uncomfortable time interval for most women. Particularly,there is the need formaintaining garments free of the menstrual eflluentand for overcoming the discomfort of the catamenial devices used and therelease of undesirable odors therefrom.

Intravaginal catamenial tampon devices have won substantial acceptanceby women. However, such known tampon devices present a number ofproblems. Thus, they are somewhat difficult to insert into the vaginalcanal and require special inserting means, which usually take the formof elongated plastic plunger devices. Also, tampon devices have atendency to swell as they absorb the menstrual effluent leading to (a)difliculty in removing the saturated tampon; and (b) leakage of theabsorbed efi'luent due to squeezing of the device, resulting in soilageof garments and the like.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide an improvedcatamenial device of the tampon type, which is of such a construction asto allow for insertion of the same within the vaginal canal without theneed for inserting means.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved tamponconstruction which lends itself to easy removal and prevents leakage ofeffluent around the tampon, thereby eliminating soilage of garments andthe like.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved tamponconstruction which includes a sealant pad portion integral with thetampon portion disposed within the vaginal canal, the pad portion beinglocated between the labia majora of the vulva.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a tampon constructionwhich has a high absorptive capacity for menstrual effluent, yet is freeof undue swelling due to the absorbed effluent.

Yet a further object of this invention is to provide an improved tamponconstruction which does not tend to distend the normally constrictedvaginal orifice despite the presence of the tampon portion within thevaginal canal. I

Still a further object of this invention is to provide an improvedcatamenial device of the character described, which includes improvedmeans for dispensing lubricant, deodorants, therapeutic compositions andthe like, upon insertion of the device into the vaginal canal.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved tamponconstruction which is altogether concealed in use, which is comfortableto the user and which does not interfere with the daily routine of theuser.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in parthereinafter pointed out.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevational view of acatamenial device embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view similar to that of FIG. 1, showing anotherembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an elevational view showing still another embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view showing yet another embodiment of theinvention;

FIGS. 7-9 show several cross sectional forms for the pad portion of thecatamenial device;

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic showing of the catamenial device in its normalanatomical disposition;

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing the catamenial device in relation to thevulva and vagina, when in use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The catamenial device ofthe instant invention comprises essentially a tampon portion insertableinto the vaginal canal, and a pad portion integral with the tamponportion which lies between the labia majora of the vulva.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 1, l0 designates a catamenial device embodyingthe invention. The same comprises a tampon portion 11 and a pad portion12 extending transversely of the axis of the tampon portion and locatedat one end thereof. The device 10 is made of highly absorbent materialsuch as cellulose wadding or the like, suitably rolled and molded to thedesired T shaped configuration.

The tampon portion 11 may be of cylindrical shape, terminating in atapered end portion 13. End portion 13 may be formed with a series oflongitudinally extending, circumferentially spaced grooves 14. Grooves14 are of tapered cross section such as a V shape or the like with themaximum transverse dimension at the outer surface of end portion 13.Grooves 14 are adapted to carry lubricant, deodorant or therapeuticcompositions in a preferably viscous form.

To use device 10, the same is manually grasped at pad portion 12 andtampon portion 11 is directed into vaginal canal V. The tapered endportion 13 of device 10 will displace the labia majora L, L of the vulvaand the force applied to pad portion 12 will act along the longitudinalaxis of tampon portion 11 to insert the same in the vaginal canal V.

When the tampon portion 11 is fully inserted in the vaginal canal V, thepad portion 12 will lie between the labia majora L, L. The pad portion12 has tapering ends 15. However, the cross section of pad ends 15 maytake varying forms as shown in FIGS. 7-9, including the elliptical form16; the egg shaped form 17; or the wedge shaped form 18.

Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4; portion 12A of device 10A maycomprise longitudinally extending portions 20, 21. The outermost portion20 has a transverse section of somewhat larger dimensions then that ofthe innermost portion 21. The surfaces of pad portions 20, 21 arepreferably curvilinear and may be either part circular as shown; or partelliptical. In either case the radial dimensions of the portion 20 aregreater then that of portion 21.

As shown in FIG. 5, the catamenial device 10 B is similar to that shownin FIG. 1, except that the tampon portion 11 is tapered at its inner end22 and then reversely tapered as at 23, at its juncture with pad portion12. Thus, there is formed a constricted portion 24 at the juncture oftapered portions 22, 23. It will be apparent that upon inserting deviceB, in the manner previously described; the constricted portion 24 willbe located at the vaginal orifice. This will leave the vaginal orificein its normal constricted form, notwithstanding the presence of thetampon portion 11 in the vaginal canal V.

In all cases, the devices of the instant invention are effective, wheninserted and in place, to seal the vaginal orifice by way of pad portion12, to thereby prevent leakage of menstrual efiluent. Also, theabsorptive capacity of tampon portion 11, is augmented by the absorptivecapacity of pad portion 12, to thereby minimize swelling of the tamponportion 11 and leadageof menstrual effluent.

The labia majora L, L of the vulva enclose the pad portion 12 to therebyretain device 10 in place and to avoid inadvertent movement of thetampon portion 1 1. Further the device 10 may be readily removed by wayof pad portion 12. However, if desired, a string S may be attached toone end of pad portion 12 to facilitate removal of device 10.

Also, as shown in FIG. 6, device 10 C may take a modified form inrespect to the pad portion 12. Thus, pad portion 12 may be tapered incross section from end to end, providing a larger posterior portion 25and a smaller anterior portion 26; which permits pad portion 12 to moreclosely approximate anatomical contours at the vulva.

The grooves 14 at the tapered end portion 13 of tampon portion 11, serveas a means for dispensing lubricant, deodorant or therapeuticcompositions, insomewhat viscous form. The tapered cross section of suchgrooves allow for constriction of end portion 13 as the same is insertedinto the vaginal canal V to thereby force the content of said groovesinto contact with the wall surfaces of the vaginal canal. The padportion 12 may be similarly grooved to carry similar compositions fordispensing when said pad portion is in place between the labia majora L,L.

It is understood that the tampon portion 11 and pad portion 12 may besuitably perfumed, to mask undesirable odors; and to otherwise beimpregnated with therapeutic compositions or the like.

I claim:

1. A catamenial device comprising a tampon portion disposable within thevaginal canal, and a pad portion integral with one end of said tamponportion and extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of thetampon portion, said pad portion having curvilinear surface portions andbeing disposable between the labia of the vulva.

2. A catamenial device as in claim 1 wherein said pad portion compriseslongitudinally extending outer and inner portions, the outer portionhaving transverse dimensions greater then that of said inner portion.

3. A catamenial device as in claim 2 wherein each of the outer and innerpad portions have curvilinear surfaces.

4. A catamenial device as in claim 1 wherein the free end of said tamponportion is tapered, the tapered end portion of the tampon portion beingformed with longitudinally extending grooves for carrying and dispensinga composition for application to the walls of 1 5. A catamenial deviceas in claim 1 wherein said pad portion is tapered from end to end toprovide enlarged cross sectional portions at one end thereof and reducedcross sectional portions at the other end thereof.

6. A catamenial device as in claim 1 wherein said pad portion hastapering cross sectional portions extending to the opposite endsthereof.

7. A catamenial device as in claim 1 wherein said pad portion has across section of elliptical shape.

1. A catamenial device comprising a tampon portion disposable within thevaginal canal, and a pad portion integral with one end of said tamponportion and extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of thetampon portion, said pad portion having curvilinear surface portions andbeing disposable between the labia of the vulva.
 2. A catamenial deviceas in claim 1 wherein said pad portion comprises longitudinallyextending outer and inner portions, the outer portion having transversedimensions greater then that of said inner portion.
 3. A catamenialdevice as in claim 2 wherein each of the outer and inner pad portionshave curvilinear surfaces.
 4. A catamenial device as in claim 1 whereinthe free end of said tampon portion is tapered, the tapered end portionof the tampon portion being formed with longitudinally extending groovesfor carrying and dispensing a composition for application to the wallsof the vaginal canal upon insertion of said tampon portion into thevaginal canal and constriction of the grooved portions thereof.
 5. Acatamenial device as in claim 1 wherein said pad portion is tapered fromend to end to provide enlarged cross sectional portions at one endthereof and reduced cross sectional portions at the other end thereof.6. A catamenial device as in claim 1 wherein said pad portion hastapering cross sectional portions extending to the opposite endsthereof.
 7. A catamenial device as in claim 1 wherein said pad portionhas a cross section of elliptical shape.